Siege of Naples (1648)

The Siege of Naples (1648) occurred when the Spanish besieged the city of Naples, which was then the capital of the rebellious Neapolitan Republic. The Neapolitans were led by Henry II, Duke of Guise, who was elected their leader. He controlled only the city of Naples, with the Spanish Army controlling the line of castles around the city and the nobility controlling the provinces from their base in Aversa, thus controlling the supply lines into the city. The Duke of Guise succeeded in capturing Aversa, but the Spanish army, led by John of Austria the Younger, sent spies, agitators, and other agents into Naples to win over the remaining nobles. On 5 April 1648, Henry, deceitfully pressed by some of his Spanish-paid councillors, attempted to sally against the Spanish. However, the city was conquered by the Spanish without resistance, as his nobles betrayed him. The Spanish imposed their rule in the city, having the rebel leader Gennaro Annese executed and having the Duke held prisoner. The Spanish would successfully defend Naples from French reconquest attempts in the next few months and years, and Naples remained a part of Spain until 1714.